Fun news to share for my friends in the Seattle, WA area: I just booked a last minute event at Quality Sewing – an amazing sewing machine shop with 11 locations!! I’ll be chatting, signing books and answering your questions in addition to providing loads of tips and techniques to improve your machine quilting skills! Click the image below to watch our short announcement about it:

Click here to sign up for the event for just $10!!!!!!!!

I met Reva from Quality Sewing recently at BERNINA University. When she found out I’d be visiting family in the Seattle Area, she invited me to present a lecture and trunk show at their flagship shop. My event will take place at their Tukwila location on Thursday, August 4 from 10-1.

I’ll be in the area for about a week – so if you live nearby, please leave me a comment and let me know what I need to see while I’m there. I can’t wait!!

If you aren’t nearby, click here to see my updated traveling and teaching schedule through the end of next year. Hopefully I’ll get to see you in person at an event near you!!

I’ve excited to share that I’ve just purchased the domain name ChristaQuilts.TV where you can watch all of my quilting videos on YouTube. This has been a long time coming and I’m thrilled to share new tutorials with you each and every Friday. They’ll drop around 7 AM Pacific Time, so that you’ll have new projects & techniques to work on each weekend!

Click here subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don’t miss a thing!

My plan is for each of these weekly videos to be about 20 minutes in length. That’s long enough to share my techniques, but not too long that you get bored with watching (hopefully not, anyway!!)

Get the Hashtags Quilt Kit

Click here to view all of my custom quilt kits.

If you want to make the quilt exactly as shown above, click here to get the Hashtags quilt kit while supplies last. I’m using my original Bling quilt pattern with a new layout and enhanced pattern notes that are included.

In my latest video, I show you exactly how I made a walking foot quilting plan to quilt this incredibly dynamic, modern stitching design above, called shattered lines. This is one of the quilting motifs from my book 99 Machine Quilting designs and I was thrilled to actually quilt it on a real, full sized quilt.

One of the tips I like to share in my books, videos and workshops is that the MORE you quilt a quilt, the less you’ll see the individual stitches and that’s totally the case with this quilt.

I was able to use a ton of leftovers on the back of my Hashtags quilt. I combined scraps from the front along with some odd sized pieces of my Black, White & Bright fabric to create this secondary composition on the back. Here’s a bonus tip: put larger chunks of fabric around the edges, because those will get trimmed up the most!

Photo by Susanne Shultis Photography

I’m really pleased with how my quilt turned out and it’s oh, so cuddly! I hope you’ll consider making one, too. If you do, please tag me on social media @christaquilts and #blingquilt so I can see what you are up to!

I recently wrapped up my quilt along for my Blooming Wallflowers quilt. I took all of the individual quilt along videos, and edited them together into one longer video, showing how to make the entire quilt from start to finish. Click below to watch the full video tutorial; it’s just under an hour and shows every step of the process: cutting, piecing, basting, machine quilting, and binding:

• Click here to grab a Blooming Wallflowers quilt kit (while supplies last)
• Click here to download a PDF version of the Blooming Wallflowers quilt pattern
• Click here for the Blooming Wallflowers printed quilt pattern

Blooming Wallflowers Quilt – Front and Back

As soon as I finished my quilt, I took it outside to photograph, front and back. It was just as much fun sewing the back as the front!

When you make your version of Blooming Wallflowers, please be sure to share it on social media. You can tag me @christaquilts and use the hashtag #bloomingwallflowersquilt. It makes my day when others enjoy making my quilt patterns just as much as I do!

The best thing about blogging regularly is hosting quilt alongs once again. These are multi-week posts where I walk you through the entire process of making a quilt from start to finish. In, 2022 we will make my Blooming Wallflowers quilt using regular cutting, or AccuQuilt Dies – your choice!

• Click here to get the Blooming Wallflowers Quilt Kit – While Supplies Last
• Click here to get the Blooming Wallflowers Quilt Pattern – with Die Cutting Tip Sheet
• Click here to register for my free Blooming Wallflowers Quilt Along.

This quilt is so fast and fun to make and it looks much harder than it actually is. I’m going to be making my version using my new Black, White & Bright fabric line from Benartex, but of course you can use any fabrics you wish to follow along. All you need is a copy of the Blooming Wallflowers quilt pattern.

I’ve made this quilt a couple of times before, but this time around I’m excited to use AccuQuilt Dies. The kits, pattern and quilt along videos will all show how to make it with traditional cutting OR die-cutting.

I talked more about the upcoming Quilt Along on my latest Live Chat. Click here or the image below to watch.

Here are the rest of the details with links on where you can get supplies to make this quilt.

Fabric Requirements for “Scrappy” Blooming Wallflowers Quilt

6 Fat Quarters (18″ x 21″) of Saturated Colors for the Flowers
6 Fat Eighths (9″ x 21″) of Light/Low Volume Prints for the Flower Shadows
6 Fat Eighths (9″ x 21″) of Black & White Prints for the Flower Shadows
4 1/4 yds of Contrasting Fabric for Background & Binding

Traditional Rotary Cutting

To cut this quilt the traditional way, I highly recommend the Tri/Recs ruler set. It will cut blocks up to 6″ finished which is what is shown on the pattern cover.

AccuQuilt Die Cutting

These are the Dies I plan to use when I make my new version of Blooming Wallflowers. Click each link to learn more about the Die from AccuQuilt.

• 6″ center triangle
• 6″ side triangles
• 6″ finished square
• 6″ Setting triangles
• 2″ binding strip

Click here for the complete Blooming Wallflowers Quilt Along Schedule.

Do you remember nearly 2 years ago when I lamented in a previous blog post that I couldn’t find the *perfect* sewing table? Well I’m happy to announce that my dream finally came true!! Meet the “Christa Cabinet” – the perfect table that I designed in conjunction with Arrow Sewing.

Now before we get too far, I must tell you that as of this writing (November, 2021) the table won’t be available to purchase until May of 2022. But I can’t hold a secret that long so I wanted give you a sneak peek soon as I could!!

The Christa Cabinet Arrives May 2022

The Christa Cabinet has a drop in table that can fit most large sewing machines. I took some unofficial measurements with my measuring tape, but final ones will be out soon. Here’s the specs so far:

• 56″ wide plus an extra 16″ on the right with extended leaf
• 22″ deep + 18″ with back extension plus 14″ with front drawer extension.
• Sewing machine cutout is 24″ x 13.” It fits my BERNINA 770 perfectly!
• 29″ high with locking casters
• Adjustable manual table lift
• Acrylic insert add-on is customizable to fit your machine
• An optional pair of “quilt block” stoppers attach to the back or side to keep the quilt from falling off the edge of the table. These are completely my own invention!

I cannot tell you how excited I’ve been to test out this table/cabinet over the last few months. It works beautifully to hold up the weight of the quilt! The Christa Cabinet will be available through all Arrow Cabinet distributors, and if there’s enough interest, I’m considering drop-shipping it myself, which means I order for you and then Arrow sends it directly to your home. You just pay the MSRP (or less when it goes on sale) plus shipping.

Video Unboxing of the Christa Cabinet Sewing Table

When my cabinet arrived earlier this year, I had fun filming the unboxing. It came with white glove delivery service from FedEx – which I didn’t even know what a thing. All I thought when they were carrying it up my stairs was, “Pivot!! Pivot!!!”

Click here, or the image above to see the unboxing video on my YouTube channel.

Let’s Get Real about the Numbers

Right now the estimated MSRP is coming in around $1500 which is a fantastic price for this level of table! After doing tons of research on all of the current tables out there, I really wanted to make this one affordable. Just to compare, the table I had been using prior to this which did NOT have all the upgrades cost me around $800 waaaaay back in 1995! The current high end tables on the market now go for about $3-$6k. [Insert eyes popping out of head emoji here!!] That’s way out of my price range and I figured it was way out of most quilters’ reach, too. After all – wouldn’t you rather spend that kind of money on the machine itself??

So leave me a comment if you think you may be interested in getting this cabinet. As it gets closer to launch date I’ll share more details. I can’t wait!!

Well it’s been awhile since I last posted, but life just got in the way! However, today I’m excited to be back blogging agin and sharing a virtual trunk show of my quilts for your viewing pleasure. Below are all of the patterned quilts from my books, plus several alternate versions. The best part is that each of my book includes step by step instructions to make the quilt top, and also how to quilt them. Enjoy!!

Click here to get signed copies of my books.

Piece and Quilt with Precuts (2017)

All of the quilts in this book are precut friendly and each pattern includes piecing instructions and a quilting plan with diagrams and quilting suggestions. You can mix and match pieced patterns and quilting motifs to your heart’s content!

Squiggles – Original Version from the Book

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Squiggles Remake using Modern Marks Fabric

Click here for the Quilt Along for this quilt.

Gridwork – Original Version from the Book

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Gridwork Remake by Vicky Holloway Using Modern Marks

Click here for Vicky’s blog post about this quilt.

Frequency – Original Version from the Book

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Frequency – Mini remake using Modern Marks

Click here to read more about this collaboration between me and Leah Day.

S.W.A.K

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Starstruck – Original Version from the Book

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Starstruck remake using Modern Marks

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Dot ‘n’ Dash – Original Version from the Book

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Dot ‘n’ Dash remake using Fandangle

Click here for the Quilt Along for this quilt.

Twinkling Diamonds

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Windows

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Kites

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Arrows

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Spools – Original Version from the Book

Click here for the blog post about this quilt.

Spools Remake Using Modern Marks

The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting (2016)

Angela Walters and I each made the same ten quilts in our own choice of fabrics and quilting motifs. There are 10 different patterns presented along with over 50 different machine quilting designs. Below are each of the 20 quilts we made showcasing different color combos and machine quilting suggestions.

Choosing Colors

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – in rainbow order.

Angela’s version – mix it up and throw in a scrappy binding!

Swirling Butterflies

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – bold and contemporary.

Angela’s version – white and traditional.

Plumb Lines

Click here to read more about this quilt.

My version of Plumb Lines won 2nd Place, Modern at HMQS in 2016.

Christa’s version – free-motion alternatives to straight line quilting.

Angela’s version – peachy keen!!

Cornered

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – pretty in pink!

Angela’s version – make your friends green with envy when you learn how to quilt these motifs!

Directionally Challenged

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s Version in shades of blue with walking foot quilting and FMQ.

Angela’s version in red showing how to break down large blocks for quilting success.

Migration

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – grid quilting in warm earthy tones.

Angela’s version – jewel box quilting with lots of negative space fillers.

Exploding Star

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version using Angela’s fabrics with walking foot continuous spiral quilting.

Angela’s version quilted with multi-sized spirals.

fractured squares

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – completely quilted with a walking foot.

Angela’s version – having fun with improv borders!

Quatrefoil Applique

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – it’s a machine quilting sampler!

Angela’s version – bold and dramatic.

U-Turns

Click here to read more about this quilt.

Christa’s version – cool teal solids with a touch of print.

Angela’s version – perfect for practicing turning a corner!

Machine Quilting with Style (2015)

Click each highlighted link below each image for more about that quilt.

13 friends each remade the 12 quilts + 1 of the backings. I have included their versions, too. Photography of my quilts courtesy of Martingale and Brent Kane. Here’s the order in which they are presented in the book:

Ripples, made by me

Ripples, made by Melissa Corry and her MIL Barbara

Rain, made by me
Juried into QuiltCon 2016
Shown at MQG Exhibit at Int’l Quilt Festival

Drizzle, made by Cheryl Brickey

Color Crystals, made by me

Color Crystals, made by Vicki Ruebel
Honorable Mention, PIQF 2015
Faculty Award, MQX New England 2016

Technicolor backing made by me

Urban sunrise, made by Ida Ewing
Best Machine Quilting, Pahrump Quilt Show 2016

Little Man’s Fancy, made by me

Little Man’s Fancy, made by Tina Guthmann

Static, made by me

Static, made by Lee Heinrich

Square in a Square, made by me
Juried into Road to California, 2016

Square in a Square, made by Stacy Cooper

Focal Point, made by me
Juried into QuiltCon 2016

Focal Point, recolored in EQ7 using Chic Neutrals fabric from Amy Ellis

Focal Point, made by Amy Garro

Lightning, made by me
Bonus backing tutorial from Martingale
Juried into Road to California 2016

Pink, made by Leanne Chahley

Candy Pop, made by me
Awarded 3rd Place, Applique at DQN 2016 Quilt Show

Candy Pop, made by Linda Hungerford

Broken V, made by me

Broken V, made by Sharon McConnell

Facets, made by me
2nd Place Modern, AQS Paducah 2016
Juried into AQS Phoenix 2016
Quilt Along Blog Series 2016

Facets, made by Kristy Daum

Pearl Gray, made by me
1st Place Large, Single Maker, DQN 2016 Quilt Show

Pearl Gray, made by Alyce Blyth

 Click Here for Signed Copies of All 3 Books

 

I’m thrilled to introduce a brand new quilt pattern called Interlinked.It’s one of my more modern quilts and was recently shown the QuiltCon Together online quilt show.

Click here to get the Interlinked PDF Quilt Pattern

Interlinked Quilt by Christa Watson, 64″ x 80″
Made from neutrals of Fandangle, Geo Pop, and Gridwork

I love making all kinds of quilts and most of my designs fall on the “Modern Traditional” side of things. But with Interlinked, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and really embrace modern principles like “minimalism” and “negative space.”

The most fun part about making this quilt was combining neutrals from several of my fabric lines. I love how they all work together!

Get the Kit!

When I shared sneak peeks of me making this quilt a few months ago, I immediately got requests for kits once the pattern was available. So I’m happy to announce that kits are now in stock and ready to ship over  at shop.ChristaQuilts.com.

Click here to get the interlinked quilt kit (fabric only) while supplies last.

The PDF pattern can be found in my Etsy shop and it includes easy to follow step by step  instructions. I’ve also included an option for adding borders, several alternate colorways and machine quilting suggestions. I threw in a coloring page, too – so you can play around with different colorways to your heart’s content!

The quilt is actually really quick and easy to make and you can have fun with the quilting just like I did. I quilted a different geometric design in each fabric of the quilt and it was so fun putting this one together. It’s the first time I’ve made a quilt from my fabrics where I’ve used more than one collection and I really enjoyed the freedom of doing that!

Interlinked free-motion quilting detail – click image above to enlarge.

I hope you enjoyed looking at all these fun pics and I can’t wait to see your version of the quilt. When you make it, please use the hashtag #interlinkedquilt on social media so I can cheer you on!

Where to Buy

• Click here to get Interlinked PDF quilt pattern
• Click here to get the Interlinked quilt kit from my online shop